The Realme 9 and Realme 9 5G are both compelling mid-range smartphones, but cater to slightly different needs. Choosing between them can be tricky. This comprehensive comparison breaks down the key differences to help you make the right decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme 9 takes the lead with its significantly faster charging, brighter display, and superior battery life. However, the Realme 9 5G offers 5G connectivity and a slightly more modern chipset, making it a worthwhile option if 5G is a priority and charging speed isn't.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, April 07 | 2022, May 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 12 | Available. Released 2022, June 09 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 160.2 x 73.3 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) | 164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 430 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 600 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 | Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, dual pixel PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 50% in 31 min, 100% in 75 min | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Meteor Black, Sunburst Gold, Stargaze White | Meteor Black, Stargaze White |
| Models | RMX3521 | RMX3474 |
| Price | About 660 EUR | About 190 EUR |
| SAR | 1.16 W/kg (head) 0.59 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 156h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-30.4 LUFS (Below average)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 290097 (v9)
GeekBench: 1601 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7.3fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Realme 9
- Exceptional battery life
- Fast 33W charging
- Brighter display
- Slightly better performance (Snapdragon 680)
- Good value for money
- No 5G connectivity
- Slightly older chipset
Realme 9 5G
- 5G connectivity
- Slightly more modern chipset (Snapdragon 695)
- Potentially better gaming performance
- Slow 18W charging
- Lower battery life
- Less bright display
- Potentially higher price
Display Comparison
The Realme 9 boasts a significantly brighter display, peaking at 647 nits compared to the Realme 9 5G's likely lower brightness (estimated around 480-500 nits based on typical Snapdragon 695 displays). Both likely feature a 90Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling, but the Realme 9's higher brightness provides better visibility in sunlight. Contrast ratio is likely similar, offering good image quality on both.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature a similar main camera setup (typically a 50MP primary sensor). Image quality will be comparable in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance might be slightly better on the Realme 9 due to potential software optimizations. Video recording capabilities are likely similar, offering 1080p recording at 30fps.
Performance
The Realme 9 5G's Snapdragon 695 5G chipset offers a slight edge in raw processing power and efficiency compared to the Snapdragon 680 in the Realme 9. While both are capable of handling everyday tasks, the 695 provides a more future-proof platform, especially with its 5G modem. Gaming performance will be marginally better on the 9 5G.
Battery Life
The Realme 9 is the clear winner in battery life. Its endurance rating of 156 hours is exceptional. The Realme 9 5G, with its slower 18W charging, will require more frequent charging. While the 9 5G's battery capacity is likely similar (around 5000mAh), the less efficient chipset and slower charging contribute to shorter battery life.
Buying Guide
The Realme 9 is ideal for users prioritizing battery life, fast charging, and a vibrant display. It's a great choice for everyday use and media consumption. The Realme 9 5G is better suited for those who want 5G connectivity and are willing to compromise on charging speed and battery endurance for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Realme 9 5G support 5G?
Yes, the Realme 9 5G supports 5G connectivity, making it suitable for users in areas with 5G coverage.
❓ Which phone has faster charging?
The Realme 9 has significantly faster charging with 33W wired charging compared to the Realme 9 5G's 18W charging.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 695 better than the Snapdragon 680?
The Snapdragon 695 offers a slight performance advantage and includes a 5G modem, making it more future-proof. However, the difference in everyday usage is not substantial.
